Season of Miracles: This Christmas, Catholics honor inexplicable works of two new saints

Last week came news that the Vatican proclaimed Syracuse’s Mother Marianne Cope a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, after finding her responsible for two miraculous healings.

In the case that propelled Mother Marianne into sainthood, Sharon Smith, then 59, inexplicably recovered from severe pancreatitis and infection that were eating her organs. Dr. Tom Certo, the surgeon who treated her at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and experts at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore said Smith would not survive. But she did: Her dangerously high temperature dropped, her blood count improved, tissue that had died regenerated itself. Now 65, Smith is doing fine.

In 2004, a Vatican panel of experts found no medical explanation for the 1993 recovery of Kate Mahoney, of Syracuse. The 14-year-old was experiencing multiple organ failure at Crouse Hospital. Mahoney is now 33 and perfectly healthy.

In both cases of recovery, doctors pointed to a higher power. “I don’t have a better way to explain it,” Certo said about Smith’s case.

The Vatican also has proclaimed the 17th century Mohawk Kateri Tekakwitha a saint. Prayers to the saint, known as the Lily of the Mohawks, are credited with the recovery of 6-year-old Jake Finkbonner, a Washington state boy who had a flesh-eating disease.

Why did these people survive?

Skeptics argue there must be a medical explanation, and that this whole business about saints and miracles is religious mumbo jumbo. People of faith say they’re miracles.

Today, Christians celebrate another miracle — the virgin birth of their messiah, Jesus Christ. The story of Jesus’ birth — in a cold, damp stable in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago — carries with it the universal message that hope, compassion and love can emerge even from potentially unbearable situations. For believers, the nativity is just the first chapter; the story ends with the greatest mystery of all — the crucified Jesus rising from the dead.

Miracles aren’t just for Christians. The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, which began Tuesday night, also includes the story of a miracle: a single jug of oil was able to light a lamp for eight days.

Syracuse Rabbi Daniel Jezer wrote last week that some consider the real miracle of Hanukkah to be the strength of the human spirit. The concept can be applied to the cases of the miracles approved by the Catholic Church: In each case, there’s a larger story of surviving, against all odds.

Not all miracles are dramatic. Examples of “everyday miracles” abound: the unemployed person lands a job; a childless couple conceives; a troubled family finds peace; a seemingly impossible task is completed.

Smith, Mahoney and Finkbonner can point to their survival as reason enough to believe in miracles. People of faith will see their stories as confirmation of their beliefs.

For the rest, in this season of hope, be open to at least considering that miracles are possible.